Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-03-04
MRS. DRusE HANGED.
The Closing Chapter in a Most
Sensational Crime.

HERKIMER, N. Y, Feb 2S.-Mrs.
Roxalana Druse was hanged here at
1901 Monday for the brutal murder
of her husband on Dec. Is, 1884. She
was pronounced dead six minutes af-
ter the drop fell.
The diabolic character of the crime
aud the strenuous efforts which were
put forth to save Mrs. Druse from the
hangnan combined TO make the exc
cution one Of the national interest
Told in detail the tragedy would
make a bulky aud sensational vol
ume. Briefly summarized the history
of the case is this; The Druse fani-
ly comprised the victim, George
Druse, his wife, a daughter Mary,
aged 10; a son George, aged 10; a
nephew Frank Gates, aged Ia. The
family lived upon farm. On the
morning of Dec. Is, 1884, a quarrel oc-
Cured between the husband aud wife
at the breakfast table. The wife left
the room while the victim continued
at his breakfast. In few moments
she returned with loaded revolver
concealed under her apron. She
whispered to the boys TO leave the
room. The door had scarcely closed
upon them when Mary, the daughter,
who had remained, crept up behind
her father and threw a rope around
his neck. At the same moment the
mother and wife discharged the re-
volver twice, each shot taking effect
in tho unfortunate mans chest. lie
fell over sideways in his chair. Ills
wife attempted TO again discharge the
weapon, but II missed fire. She then
called in the boys George and Frank,
and giving the revolver to the latter,
compelled him, under a threat of kill.
lug him, to fire IL three times. Each
shot took effect. and the victim rolled
of the chair 10 the ground. Then
the most ilendish phase of the crime
was commenced. Selling an AK,
Mrs. Druse commenced chopping mp
on the neck of her husband until the
head was served from the body. The
head and trunk were then taken into
the parlor, and for eighteen hours
thereafter the family devoted them
selves TO the task OF carving up the
corpse and burning the fragments in
the stove. BY this means all signs OF
the crime were made to disappear,
but the absence Of Druse from his
accustomed haunts led TO an investi-
CATION, and little by little the mystery
was unraveled, until the horrible
story in Its entirety was revealed.
The entire family was arrested, but
the boys escaped on account of their
youth. Mrs. Druse and her daugh-
ter were promptly convicted, the
former being sentenced TO death aud
the daughter to state prison for life.
Notwithstanding the diabolic ma
ture OF the crime, however, the nat
ural repugnance on the part of many
people TO the idea Of hanging wo-
man began TO manifest itself after the
conviction. Petitions in favor of
communication were sent TO Governor
Hill by the various women's associa-
tons of many states, and so much
pressure was brought to bear upon
the executive that o respite until
Monday was finally granted, In order
that the legislature might act upon n
measure abolishinR capital punish
ment in the case of women. This
bill was defeated recently, and the
governor then announced that he
would not again interfere. When
the news was communicated to the
condemned woman she broke down
for the first time and Wept bitterly.
GOV. HILL WILL HAVE ANOTHER CASE
BEFORE HIM.
ALBANY, N. Y, Feb. 28.-It is not
unlikely that Gov. Hill vii. in short
time have another application TO dis
pose of In the case of a woman con-
victed Of murder In the first degree.
Mary Wileman was convicted In
Cattaraugus county In March, 1886,
of the crime of murder In the first
degree, in having caused the death OF
her husband by administering poison
by means of a punkin pie, which SHE
had specially prepared for him. The
motives alleged were TO an insurance
of 81, 900 on the life of her husband,
which was payable to her, and 70 get
rid of him on account of her fondness
for another man. The case, as prov
ed, showed the utmost deliberati0n
in fact, from the very nature of the
case, II could hardly have been other
wise than willful murder. The ca Q
was taken to General session of the
Supreme court of appeals, aud Il is
understood that decision unfavora-
BILE TO the defendant has been reach
ed; and an appeal has been taken TO
the Court of Appeals, from which a
decision may be soon expected.